Join us for the raising of the rainbow flag

Published on 10 May 2019

The community is invited to witness the rainbow flag being raised in Kyneton on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) next week.

Representatives from Cobaw Community Health (CCH) and Councillors will raise the flag outside the Kyneton Council offices at 1pm on Friday 17 May.

Council agreed to raise the rainbow flag in three locations throughout the shire this month to acknowledge IDAHOBIT Day following a request from Cobaw.

The rainbow flag will be raised in recognition of IDAHOBIT Day outside Council offices in Kyneton and Gisborne and also on the Woodend Clock Tower Memorial following engagement with the RSL.

The Woodend Clock Tower Memorial has a single flagpole which normally bears the Australian flag. While Council initially planned to remove the national flag and raise the rainbow flag in its place, the rainbow flag is now planned to be raised on the balcony of the clock tower, and the national flag will remain in place on the flagpole.

IDAHOBIT Day was created to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community. It encourages countries, governments, organisations, townships, communities and individuals to challenge homophobia and champion the rights of LGBTI communities everywhere. The date of 17 May is also significant as it commemorates the World Health Organisation’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. As a result of discrimination and exclusion, LGBTI people living in Australia have significantly poorer mental health and higher rates of suicide than other Australians.